Drive unit for automatic washing machines



April 17, 1951 H. D. BROTMAN 2,548,940

DRIVE UNIT FOR AUTOMATIC WASHING MACHINES Filed May 29, 1947 a sheets-sheet 1 IN VEN TOR.

April 17, 1951 H. D. BROTMAN 2,543,940

DRIVE UNIT FOR AUTOMATIC WASHING MACHINES Filed May 29, 1947 a Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

April 1951 H. D. BROTMAN 2,548,940

DRIVE UNIT FOR AUTOMATIC WASHING MACHINES Filed ma 29, 1947 a Sheets-Sheet s INVBV TOR. 49 fig 277.417 Z 3,145,241?- April 17, 1951 H. D. BRQTMAN DRIVE UNIT FOR AUTOMATIC WASHING MACHINES Filed May 29, 1947 s sums-sheet 4 INVENTOR- figmar) fizz-42 x274.

BY mgL v/rz April 17, 1951 H. D. BRQTMAN DRIVE UNIT FOR AUTOMATIC WASHING MACHINES 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed May 29, 1947 INVENTOR. figxrz rz Z zmipm.

April 17, 1951 H, D, BRQTMAN 2,548,940'

DRIVE UNIT FOR AUTOMATIC WASHING MACHINES Filed May 29, 1947 a Sheets-Sheet e April 17, 1951 H. D. BROTMAN DRIVE UNIT FOR AUTOMATIC WASHING MACHINES Filed May 29, 1947 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 April 17, 1951 H. D. BROTMAN 2,543,940

DRIVE UNIT FOR AUTOMATIC WASHING MACHINES Filed May 29, 1947 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 IN VEN TOR.

Patented Apr. 17, 1951 UNITED STATES FATENTAV'OFF'ICE DRIVE UNIT FOR AUTOMATIG'WASHING MACHINES Hyman D. Brotman, Detroit, Mich., assignor, by mesne assignments, to Horton Manufacturing Company, Fort Wayne,

Indiana Ind., a corporation of Application May 2 9, 1947 Serial No. 751,424

.direction through a plurality of revolutions and this operation is continued through the washing and rinsing stages. After completion of the last rinsing operation, the cylinder is rotated at a relatively high speed in one direction for the purpose of drying the clothes. The same principle of operation is embodied in the present invention in that the cylinder is first rotated in one direction and then in the other through the washing and rinsing stages and then is rotated in one direction only at a relatively high speed for drying the clothes.

One object of the present invention is to provide an improved washing machine of this type wherein an improved drive unit is provided. for effecting the periodic reversing rotation of the cylinder.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved construction of drive unit having improved means for causing the driven shaft of the cylinder to be reversely rotated during a certain period of the machine operation and then to be rotated in one direction at high speed for drying the clothes.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved. clutching arrangement for shifting from the slower reversing rotation to the drying higher speed in a quick and rapid manner and to shift from the high speed to the reversing rotation in a slower manner. I

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved cam control means for governing,

the flow of water to the tub of the machine and the temperature thereof so that there will be less wear on the cams.

24 Claims. (Cl. 74318) Another object of the invention is to provide 9 Other objects of the invention will become apparent from the following specification, from the drawings relating thereto and from the claims hereinafter set forth.

For a better understanding of the invention reference may be had to the drawings wherein Figure 1 is a side elevational View, with certain parts broken away and other parts shown in section, of a washing machine drive unit and associated parts constructed in accordance with one form-of the invention.

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line 2--2 of Fig. l. ,7 v

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional View taken substantially along the line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken substan tially along the line 44 of Fig. 2. I v, Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line 55 of Fig. 2. V .7

Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line 6 -6 of Fig. 4.

.Fig. '7 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line 1'! of Fig. 4;

Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line 88 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken substa tiallyalong the line 9-4-9 of Fig- 2.

Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line Ill-l0 of Fig. 9.

Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line H-II of Fig. 9.

Fig. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line I2--'-I2 of Fig. 9.

Fig. 13 is a crosssectional view taken substan tially along the line l3-l3 of Fig. 9.

Fig. 14 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line l4l4 of Fig. 9;

Fig. 15 is a cross-sectional view taken substan tially along the line [5-45 of Fig. 9.

Fig. 17 is a cross-sectional view taken substan tially along the line l'l-ll of Fig. 2.

Fig. 18 illustrates a development of the water control cam and fingers adapted to cooperate therewith.

Fig. 19 is an end view of the developed cam as shown by Fig. 18.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, the drive unit illustrated is indicated at I0 and this unit generally includes a motor H and a casing 12 secured to a bracket 13. This bracket at its lower end is sup ported on a rod I 4 which in turn is pivotally anchored in the lower part of the washing machine cabinet so that the entire drive unit may swing about the axis of the rod. It will be observed that the casing 12 is pivotally connected as indicated at Hi to the lower part of the bracket l3 and that it is adjustably connected as indicated at Hi to the upper part of the bracket. The motor I I has a pulley I9 engaged by a belt 20 and this belt in turn is trained about a similar pulley 2i drivingly connected to a shaft 22 extending into the easing l2.

Now referring to Fig. 2 in particular, the shaft 22 is journaled in bearings 25 and 26 in opposite walls of the casing l2 and the bearing 25 is held in a removable retainer 2'! which is of suflicient size that the entire shaft assembly may be withdrawn along with the retainer from the casing. This retainer has a flange 28 on its outer end which may be suitably secured by screws to the casing. Within the casing the shaft 22 has a pinion 30 keyed thereto and this pinion meshes with a large gear 3! loosely journaled on a driven shaft 32 extending through the casing wall. It will be noted that the gear 31 has a hub 33 and that this hub is journaled in a bearing 34 located in the Wall of the casing. The outer end of the shaft 32 is drivingly connected to a large pulley 35 and this pulley is adapted to engage a belt, which in turn is to be trained about a pulley on the shaft of the washing machine cylinder.

The gear 3| on its inner face has circumferentially arranged teeth 31 adapted to be engaged by teeth 38 on one end of a clutch element 39 having a splined connection with the shaft 32 as indicated at 40. From this it is evident that if the clutch elementi39 is so moved as to cause the teeth 3! and 38 to engage, the pulley 35 will be driven whereas if the clutch is shifted so as to disengage the teeth, the gear 3| will turn idly on the-shaft 32. It might be mentioned at this time that when the gear 3| is driving the shaft 32 the washing machine cylinder is being rotated at its high or clothes drying speed.

Now directing attention to Figs. 2, 4 and 15 th shaft 22 within the casing has a worm portion 42 which'meshes with a worm wheel 43 keyed to a shaft 44 as indicated at 45. Directing attention particularly to Fig, 4, one end of the shaft 44 is journaled in a bearing 46' located in a retainer element 48 secured by screws 49 to the casing. The other end of the shaft is journaled in ahearing 50 mounted in an integral boss portion i of the casing. The arrangement is such that upon removing the retainer #8, the shaft assembly can be installed or removed as the case may require. A pair of gears 52 and 53 are journaled on the shaft 44, although preferably a bronze sleeve or bushing 54 will be located on the shaft within each gear. The two gears 52 and 53 mesh with the teeth of a ring gear 56 which has a hub portion 5'! journaled on the inner end of the driven shaft 32. This hub portion is also journaled in a bracket portion 60 integral with the casing and therefore the inner end of the shaft 32 is supported in this manner. The end of the hub portion 51 has teeth 6| adapted to engage similar teeth 62 on the inner end of the clutch element 39 and from this it follows that if the clutch element 39 is shifted out of engagement with the large gear 3|, so as to cause the teeth 6! and 62 to engage, the ring gear 56 will be placed in drivmg relation to the driven shaft 32. It is also evident that if the gear 52 drives the ring 56, the shaft 32 will be driven in one direction, whereas if the gear 53 drives the ring gear, the shaft 32 will be driven in the opposite direction.

In order to connect gears 52 and 53 to the shaft 4 4, spring clutches 65 and 6B are provided respectively and these are disposed on the shaft b tween the gears. The gear 52 has a portion of smaller internal diameter which is journaled on the bearing sleeve 54 on the shaft and a portion 68 of larger internal diameter which receives several convolutions of the spring 65. The end of the spring within the portion 68 of the gear is bent to provide an axial projection l0 which extends into a keyway or axial slot in the gear so that the spring as an entity always rotates with the gear. The remainder of the spring is disposed within a sleeve H having an internal diameter correspond ing to the internal diameter of the gear portion 68 and this sleeve, as best shown by Fig. 7, is pinned to the shaft 44 by a pin 12 so that the shaft positively drives the sleeve at all times. Similarly the gear 53 is journaled on a bearing sleeve 54 on the shaft 43 and has an enlarged portion 15 receiving several end convolutions of the spring 56. This spring also has an axial projection which extends into a keyway or slot in the gear so that the spring and gear rotate together. The remainder of the spring is disposed within the sleeve 1 I Between the two springs a reciprocatorykey is disposed within the sleeve and this key has projections 8| and 82 on its ends which are adapted to move respectively into end engagement with the springs 65 and 66. If the projection 8|, for instance, is moved against the end convolution: of spring 65 the extreme end of the spring wire will be engaged by the projection 8| and this will cause the spring to unwind or expand into frictional engagement with both the sleeve and the gear portion 68. This will drivingly connect the sleeve and gear portion and then the sleeve, spring and gear will rotate together. If the key 80 is shifted in the other direction, the projection 82 will correspondingly engage the end of the wire in spring 66 and will cause this spring to unwind and expand and in this way the gear 53 will be driven by the sleeve. It is to helmderstood that the end of the wire in each spring will be cut substantially in the plane of the spring axis so that the end face of the wire will engage the projection in a substantially full surface manner.

The key 8| has a leg 83 which extends outwardly through an axial slot 84 in the sleeve and the outer end of this leg is connected to the base of a clutch shifting ring 86 encircling the sleeve. Shifting of the clutch ring along the sleeve thus will cause one spring or the other to drive its respective gear and it follows that reversing rotation may be imparted to the shaft 32 by shifting the clutch ring.

In order to shift the clutch ring a swingable arm 81 is provided and this arm, as best shown by Fig. 7, is formed from laminations 89 and 99. At one end the two laminations are spread apart and straddle the clutch ring and the ends of the straddling portions have rollers 92 disposed be tween the annular ribs on the ring. The arm 81 is pivoted at its opposite end on a pin 94 supported on a bracket element 95, which in turn is secured by screws 95 to the casing. It might be noted that the casing has an access opening 9l' which also accommodates the arm and bracket and that this opening is normally closed by a cover 98 also secured by screws 96 to the casing.

In order to swing the arm 81 about its pivot 94 a reciprocatory member extends between the laminations 89 and 98 and has an open end slot HH straddling a pin [03 connecting the laminations. This slot allows relative movement between the arm and the reoiprocatory' member while .still holding them in assembled relationship. As shown by Fig. 6, the reciprocatory member I intermediate its ends has a slot I which receives a bridge element I06 having a slot Iii'i in its edge embracing the edge of the reciprocatory member at that end of the slot next to the arm 81. One end of the bridge I06 is connected to one end of a coil spring II B and the other end of this spring is connected to the pin I03 on the arm 81.

The opposite end of the bridge I08 is connected to one end of spring H2 and the opposite end of this spring is connected to a pin H3 which is fastened to the casing. It should be evident in viewing Fig. 6, that if the member I00 is shifted to the left, the arm 81 will swing about its pivot through tensioning of the spring H5 and that return movement of the member 555 and arm will be effected by the spring I I2.

Movement of the reciprocatory member I56 in a direction which tensions the springs I I0 and I I2 is effected by a cam II5 disposed on a shaft H6 journaled in bearings H1 and H8 in the casing. The latter bearing is disposed in a retainer H9 secured by screws I to the casing and this arrangement permits insertion and removal of the shaft and part thereof. The cam H5 is secured by a pin I 2| to a worm gear I22 keyed to the shaft and consequently if the shaft rotates the cam turns. The reciprocatory member I58 has an elongated opening I as through which the shaft I I5 extends and the end of the member has a pin I25 provided with a cam engaging roller I 25. The cam is so shaped as to cause, at each half revolution thereof, a reverse movement of the member we so that it is shifted first in one direction and then in the other direction, with the understanding of course that the member is shifted positively by the cam in one direction and returned by the spring I 52 in the other direction. A coil spring I on the shaft between the bearing I I1 and the member I00 serves to hold the member in proper position on the shaft. Rotation of the shaft H5, as best shown by Fig. l, is effected by means of a worm thread I32 on the end of the shaft 44 which engages the worm gear I22.

With respect to controls in general, it has been mentioned heretofore that the driving shaft 32 carrying the pulley 35 is adapted to be driven first in one direction and then in the other in the event the clutch element 39 is in one position and then to be driven in one direction only at high speed when the clutch element is in its other position. Shifting of the clutch element at predetermined times will be effected automatically so that the cylinder in the tub will be rotated reversely at certain times and then in one direction at high speed at other times. Furthermore, with respect to shifting of the clutch element, it is desirable that it not be shifted to effect high speed rotation of the cylinder except at a time when the cylinder in its phase of reversing rotation is turning in the same direction it is to turn in the high speed rotation. Again the tub must be drained of water at predetermined times and fresh water must be introduced at predetermined times. It is nieces sary also to enable varying the temperature of the water so that with different kinds of clothes, a different temperature of water may be used. Finally, it is necessary to stop the machine automatically at the end of its cycle. These various con trols are effected by means of cams mounted on a cam shaft which is driven at a very slow rate of speed, approximately one revolution in 4-0 minutes, and this part of the mechanism now will b described.

Referring to Fig. 9, the cam shaft is indicated at I40 and the ends of the shaft are journaled in bearings MI and I42 disposed in retainer plates I43 and I44 fastened by screws to opposite walls of the casing. This shaft has a worm wheel I46 keyed thereto as indicated at I41 and this worm wheel as shown in Fig. 6, particularly,

meshes with a worm I49 on the shaft H6 and is driven by this worm. The shaft I40 has a drain cam I50, a cam I5I which may be called a synchronizing cam, a high speed control cam I52 and a low speed control cam I53. The cams I50, I52 and I53 have openings fitting a portion of the cam shaft having a flat I54 so that these cams are directly driven by the shaft. The cams are held in assembled relation on this portion of the shaft by means of a snap ring I55 disposed in a groove I50 in the shaft, Spacing sleeve elements I51, I58 and I59, and a nut I60 on a threaded portion of the shaft and engaging the cam I50. The cam I5I, however, is turnable relative to the shaft and is adapted to be driven through a play-permitting, resilient connection as will be described hereinafter.

Directing attention now to Fig. 10, the cam I55 engages a roller I 55 provided on the lower end of a plunger I65 projecting through the casing wall and the external end of this plunger engages an arm I51 pivoted on the casing as indicated at I58. This arm is pivotally connected to a rod 159 at a point indicated at I10 and the rod at its lower end carries a disk type valve I1 I. The valve is disposed in a valve casing I12 having avalve seat I13 and normally the valve is urged to valve seating or closed position by a spring I1s which encircles the rod and at one end engages the valve. spring engagescap I15 threaded on the valve casing and having an opening through which the valve rod slidably extends.

Above the valve the valve casing is connected to a conduit I11 which leads to a drain. Below the valve the casing is connected to a conduit I13 and as best shown jointly by Figs. 1 and 16,

' the conduit is connected to a pump casing I19 which in turn is connected to the bottom of a washing machine tub I80. The pump casing has a funnel shaped portion IBI with its larger end coinciding with an opening in the tub and such larger end is suitably secured to the tub such as by bolts I82. Within the pump casing, a rubber rotor I83 is carried by a metal sleeve I85 and this rotor has rubber blades suitably spaced from the periphery and sides of the casing so that the rotor may turn idly when required. The sleeve I84 is slidably splined on one end of a shaft l85-journaled in the wall of the casing and this shaft in turn is connected to a flexible shaft I85 which leads to the main drive shaft 22, as seen in Fig. 2. At this point the flexible drive shaft is drivingly connected to shaft 22 by means of a screw I81.

The pump casing, as seen in Figs. 1 and 16, is normally closed by a disk I having spaced projections I at its outer edge and the pump casing has a turned over flange I forming a channel for receiving such projections. At spaced locations, the flange I90 has gaps so that the projections I89 may be inserted through the gaps and then the disk turned so as to bring the projections under the flange. In this way the disk may be locked in place and yet be moved by turning it until the projections I09 are disposed in the gaps in the flange I90. Removal At its other end, the

of the disk permits removal of the pump rotor and cleaning it as required.

It is evident from this description that the pump is driven at all times while the machine is in operation but that water will not drain unless the drain valve I II is open. The latter is opened at predetermined times by high parts I9I, I92 and I93 on the cam I50 and at other times it is closed, as will be considered presently in relation to other cam operations.

Now referring to Fig. 12, the cam I5I is shown as having a substantially long high part I94 and shorter high parts I95 and I96. These higher parts of the cam are adapted to interfere with or obstruct movement of an arm I91 which, as best shown by Fig. 6, is welded to the reciprocatory member I00. Viewing Fig. 6 with the high parts of the cam I5I in mind, it is evident that if the arm I5! is held at the left side of the cam I5I by a high part of this cam, the member I will be held in its left hand position, with the corresponding clutch spring 65 energized and driving the gear 52. Therefore, as long as any high part of the cam II is in a position obstructing movement of the arm I91 to the right or to its full line position as seen in Fig. 6, the spring 65 alone will be expanded.

The cam I5I as previously stated rotates relative to shaft I40 and it is driven by means of a spring 200 connected at one end to a pin I on the cam I52 while the other end of the spring is connected to a pin 202 on the cam I5I. The pin 20! is disposed in a slot 203 in cam I5I so as to permit a certain amount of play or relative rotative movement between the two cams. If it be assumed that the arm I9! is in its right hand position as seen in Fig. 6 so that it is projecting axially past cam I5I and is thus disposed between two of the high parts of the cam, the cam will be driven through the spring 200 without any interference from arm I91. During this time the arm I91 will shift axially back and forth with the reciprocatory member I00 and the cylinder in the washing machine will be reversed periodically. Now if the cam I5I in its forward movement engages the arm I91 at a time when the latter is projecting axially past the cam, the cam will stop although the cam I52 will continue moving since the spring 200 and play will permit this. Then as soon as the arm I91 shifts to the left and clears the cam, the energized spring 200 will quickly advance the cam IBI a short distance so as to throw the high part of the cam in front of the arm I91. From this time on the arm I91 cannot return until the high part of the cam moves past it.

It will be brought out hereafter that the high part of the cam will thus interfere with return movement of the arm I91 only at a time when cam I52 is about to shift the clutch element 39 into its high speed position. In other words, just before the clutch element 39 is to be shifted into its high speed position, the arm I91 will be held in its left hand position by a high part of cam I54 so that the spring clutch 65 will be driving gear 52. The direction of the drives are such that when the spring 65 is driving gear 52 the shaft 32 is rotating in the same direction as it will rot-ate when the high speed gear 3I is driving the shaft 32. From this it follows that the cam I5I and the arm I91 act to hold the clutch spring 65 in operative condition just before the clutch element is shifted so that the high speed rotation will be a continuation of the low speed rotation which occurred through this spring 65.

It might be mentioned further that the high part of the cam holds the spring 65 in operative position until after the clutch element is again shifted to interrupt high speed rotation so that the low speed drive, effected when the high speed drive is interrupted, will be in the same direction as the direction of cylinder rotation.

Referring to Figs. 9 to 14, the means for shifting the clutch element 39 comprises a yoke 205 straddling the clutch element and having rollers 266 at opposite sides disposed in the channel of such element as indicated at 201. This yoke includes arms 208 and 209 which are keyed to a rocker shaft 2) by means of a flat 2H and such shaft is journaled in bearing brackets 2I2 and 2I3 secured by screws 2I4 and 2I5 to the casing. It may be noted that the two arm portions are journaled on the shaft at opposite ends of the bracket 2I3 so that the clutch shifting yoke is axially positioned on the rocker shaft in this way.

As best shown by Fig. 11 in conjunction with Fig. 14, a bifurcated arm 2I8 is journaled on the shaft 2E0 so that it turns relative thereto and this arm has a cam roller 2l9 engaging the periphery of the cam I53. Intermediate its ends, the arm 2 I8 has a hump 220 which abuts a head 22% of a plunger 222 extending through a cuplike sleeve 223. This sleeve is secured in the folded portion of a bifurcated arm 224 keyed to the shaft 2"] by the flat 2I I. A coil spring 225 on the plunger and abutting the base of the sleeve and the head 22I, urges the head 22I into engagement with the hump 220 at all times. A pin 2 i '5 extending through the plunger is adapted to engage the base of the sleeve and limit outward movement of the plunger.

A like arm 226 journaled on the rocker shaft 2i0 carries a roller 22? engaging the periphery of cam I52. This arm has a hump 228 engaging a spring pressed plunger 226 on an arm 230 which is also keyed to the rocker shaft by the flat 2! I. The arm 225 and the arm 230 are the same as the arm 2I8 and arm 224 except that they are disposed at diametrically opposite sides of the rocker shaft and therefore pressure on the plunger 22% tends to turn the rocker shaft and shift the clutch element 39 into its high speed position, whereas pressure on the plunger 22$ tends to turn the rocker shaft in the opposite direction to shift the clutch element into its low speed position. By compressing one spring plunger or the other, the clutch element thus can be shifted between those two positions. The cam I 52 has a long high part 240 and shorter high parts 2 and 242 and these represent respectively a long period where the cylinder is being rotated at high speed in the drying of the clothes and two shorter high speed spins used in rinsing the clothes. The cam I53 has a long high part 244 and shorter high parts 245 and 2 36 and these represent respectively periods when the low speed reversing operation of the cylinder is occurring. The longer high part 244 represents the main or principal washing stage while the shorter high parts 245 and 246 represent the stages when rinsing occurs. Between these high parts, the cam has lower parts for allowing the roller 2 I9 to drop thereinto and this is true of the cam I52 and its roller 22?. The cams are so arranged that generally speaking the high part of one cam is in contact with its roller while the other cam has a low part, in engagement with its roller. As the parts are shown in Figs. 11 and 13, the clutch is in its high speed position with the roller 221 engaged by the 9 high part 240 or the'cam I52 and the roller 21a engaged by a low part of the cam !53.

The arm 265 has an extension 250 which as best shown by Fig. 14, has a bent over end or projection 25! disposed in the plane of an escapement disk 252 which is pinned to the shaft M9 by a pm 253. As shown by Fig. 11, this escapement disk has a long high part 255 and smaller high parts 256 and 251 and between such high parts the diskhas lower parts allowing the projection 25! to drop thereinto. It might be observed that while the projection 25! is on a high'part of the disk the clutch shifting arm 205 wil1have to remain in its low speed position and that it cannot leave this position until the projection reaches a lower part of the disk'. The purpose of the escapenient disk and finger 25 is to prevent shifting of the clutch element 99 from the low'eto the high speed position until the cam roller 221 is muyon a high part of cam I52 and the spring pressed plunger 229 is fully loaded so' 'th'a t the clutch element may be shifted rapidly; As shown in Figs. l1 and 13, the machine is in the final drying and the clutch element is in its high speed position, with roller 2!9 on a 1 w part of cam 153 and roller 221 on high part24fl o'f' cam I52. Thus the plunger 229 is loaded while the plunger 22! is relatively unloaded. If the cams continue to turn in the direction indicated by the arrows, the roller 2!!! begins to ride up upon the incline approaching the high part 244 of cam !53 and thus the plunger 222 becomes gradually loaded. As the loading of plunger 222 builds up,- the clutch element 39 slowly shifts towards itslow, speed position and then as soon as roller 2!!! is on the high part 244 of cam !53, the roller 22'! drops off of the high part 249' ofcam !52 and the clutch element completes its shifting movement into its low speed position. As this occurs, the finger 25! is lifted and then is travelling over the high part 255 of the escapeinentdisk 252. a

As will be described presently the machine stops automatically after this drying operation at high speed and after the clutch element is shifted hack to low speed position. However,- if the operation continued, as it would when the maohine'agai'n is operated, the roller 221 would continue to ride over the lower part of cam !52 while the roller'2 9 would ride over the highv part 244 of cam [53. Then when the high part 24! of cam I52 reaches roller 221 it loads the plunger 229 but due to the fact that the finger 2-5! is still on the'high part 255 of the escapemen-t disk, the clutch element will not be shifted. Just be: fore the finger 25! drops oif of the high part 255 of the escapement disk, the roller 2!9 dropsofi of the high part 244 of cam I53 and then when the finger drops off of the high part of theescapen'ient, the clutch element is rapidly shifted into its high speed position by the fully loaded plunger 22 9. v a a This muchof the cam operation has been conside'r-ed at this time so that it will be understood that the clutch element shifts slowly from high to low speed position, whereas it shifts rapidly from low to high speed position. a V

The flow of water into the tub is controlled athermostatic valve indicated generally at 260 in Fig. 2 and this valve may correspondjsubstantially to the valve shown in my copending application, Serial No. 573,362, filed June 18, 1945. In such a valve a cold water line 26! is provided which may be connected to an ordinary water line in'the home and hot water line 262 is proassets 10 vide'd which inay be connected to a sourceor not water under pressure. The valve includes two mixing chambers cj'trolled,thermostatica ly so that'fr'oin these cha" bersfespeetively water may; se di awn at appfoximateiy degrees F. and degrees F. Water flows from either. chamher, as the case be, to the we thidilgfi'a C611 diiit'263l e With part eu a eferne t6 Fig.1? incon-L with Fig. 2, We vaives'zen and 265 are provide for" respectively opening the mixing chambers Ihfitiohed, to the pipe 263. Eahrdf these valves ii iellide's a slidallol stem 266' supg tuned by' native easingiement 2'61 and a wail of the mam casing and the stem is normally urged'iiito va'l'i'ieelosing position by aspi ing 2 68. The stem ific'luds' a conical end 210 adapted to open or close a valve opening21! and when the stem is moved against the action of the spring, theop'ening 21! is uncovered so that water may new to coriduit' 255' The principal difference between this type of, vans and those shown in the other applications for patent is that the valve is urged to a closed positionby a springand this is desirable because the water supply is out on from thetub most of the time and it is prefe rable' to have the camopen the valve against the spring during the shorter periods'as against holding the valveclosed against the spring during the longer periods. I V V A Aisis'howh by Figs, ,2,; 17l and l8,- together, the valve stems are adapted respectively tobe shifted to open positions by channel shaped arms 215 216 each of which straddles its valve stem and" engages ha recessed portion 211 thereof. Each arm ispivoted on the casing as indicated at 218 and the two arms terminate infingers 219 and 280 disposed for engagement with the pe riphery of a cam sleeve28l, slidably'keyed onthe cam shaft l4!) as indicated at 282.

The developed camis shown in Figs. 18 and 19 so that the operation thereof willb'e better un-'-. derstood. This cam has a cylindrical or smooth surfaceexcept for projections 285, 266. and 281 adapted to engage the fingers on the arms. With the cam in the position as shownbyFig. 18,-,the fi ger 280px; the one arm will engage, all three projections 285, 286 and 281, and each engage.- mentwill open the valve 264 and allow water at t'hel-OO degree temperature to flow.; If the cam is shifted to the right a short distance so as to cause the projection 285 just to clear thefinger 280, it is evident that the latter finger will engage only the projections 286 and 281 while the finger 219 willengagethe projectioh 285. Under these circumstances water at 140 degrees F. would fiow into the tub when the finger 2 19 isengagedby the projection 285 but thereafter the water that will flow will be at theIQWtemperatu-re because the projections 286and 261 would engage only the finger 280. Itmight he mentioned that water at one temperature or the other will be desired for the Washing stage pbut the two succeeding rinsing operations,;wa.ter at the lower temperature ordinarily is desired. a a V I The cam 28 I,- as best shown by Fig. 9, hasan annular groove 296 engagedby one end of an arm 29! projecting into thecasing andpivoted thereon as indicated at 292. The outer end of the arm is engaged bya stiff wire 293 leadingto aneiiternal point on the washing machine cabi net} and itfo llows that the m may be shifted from one position to the other by pushing and pulling i wi a.

As seen in Fig. 9, stopping of the machine through control of the motor may be effected by a projection or cam element 3110 on the cam shaft 149 which is adapted to engage a plunger 301 slidably extending through the casing. The outer end of this plunger engages a contact element 302 forming a part of a micro-switch 3113 which ismounted on a bracket 394 secured to the casing. Insulating parts will be used as required to avoid short circuiting. As indicated in the applications previously mentioned, the machine may be started by means of a relay circuit which is closed manually when it is desired to start the machine. This relay circuit is held closed until the cam element 3110 passes the plunger 391 and then the micro-switch is closed and the relay cut out. When the cam element again reaches the element 301 the micro-switch is opened and the motor stops.

In order to prevent a continued flow of water intothe tub in the event the motor should stop for any reason while water is flowing into the tube, a centrifugal control is provided in the water line as shown by Fig. 2. The water line 263 coming from the thermostatic valve previously described is connected to a valve casing 395 and within this casing a tube 306 is provided which in turn is connected to a rubber conduit 35? leading to the upper part of the tub. The

,end of the tube 306 is adapted to engage a rubber disk 308 extending across the casing 305 and this disk has a central opening 399 adapted to be closed by a conical end 310 on a valve stem 311. A spring 312 around the valve stem 311 urges it to closed position. The stem 311 projects through the casing wall and. at its inner end has a recess 313 engaged by one end of a bellcrank 314. This bellcrank is pivoted intermediate its ends as indicated at 315 and its opposite end is bifurcated and engages a disk 315 rotating on the main drive shaft 22. The disk 316 houses and contains a series of balls 311 which in turn engage a disk 318 also on the shaft. Both disks are adapted to be moved along the shaft so as to move the bellcrank about its pivot and open the valve by a pair of opposed bellcranks 320 and 321 pivoted to the shaft by a pin 323 and having their inner ends abutting the disk 318. The other ends of the bellcranks have weights 325 and 326 and when the shaft 22 is rotating, these weights move outwardly and this in turn swings the bellcrank 314 and opens the valve. As soon as the shaft 22 stops rotating, the spring 312 will close the valve and cause the weights to move in against the shaft.

With respect to the general operation of the machine, it should be said initially that the various cams are shown in the positions which they occupy during the drying stage. For instance the drain cam as shown in Fig. 10, has its high part 191 holding the drain valve open and as seen in Figs. 11 and 13, the clutch element 39 is in itshigh speed position with the roller 219 on a low part of cam 153 and the roller 221 on the high part 2411 of cam 152. The finger 251 on the escapement arm is on a low part of cam 252. Furthermore, as will be apparent in Fig. 12, the arm 19'! is prevented from moving because of high part 194 on cam 151 and thus the clutch spring 55 is maintained in expanded condition.

Operation of the machine in this drying stage will continue until the roller 221 in Fig. 13 drops off of the high part 240 of cam 152 and the roller 219 rides up on the high part 244 of cam 153. This will cause the clutch element 39 to move to its low speed position, and shortly after this oocurs, the high part 255 of the escapement card 252 moves under the finger 251 of the escapement arm 250. When the clutch element moves to its low speed position, the arm [91 (Fig. 12) on the reciprocatory member 1139 is still locked out by the high part 194 of cam 151 and thus the washing machine cylinder will continue running in the same direction as it would in the drying stage, but, of course, it will have slowed down after the shift of the clutch element and will now be running at slow, washing speed. Approximately at this time, that is after the clutch element has shifted, the cam 300 on the cam shaft as seen in Fig. 9, will have opened the switch 303 and the motor will stop. The clothes may now be removed.

With the machine in a stopped condition, the drain valve is still open, the thermostatic valves opened by cam 281 are both closed and the centrifugally controlled valve 319, is closed. If it is now desired to use the machine, the clothes are placed in the cylinder and then the relay switch is closed to start the motor. The cylinder is initially driven in its washing stage since the long high part 244 of cam 153 will be in engagement with the roller 219 as viewed in Fig. 11, while the roller 221 will be in engagement with the long low part of cam 152 as viewed in Fig. 13. Soon after the motor starts running, the cam 1511 closes the drain valve 1'11 and the cam 281 causes one or the other of fingers 2'19 and 280, as seen in Fig. 18, tomo-ve its arm about the pivot therefor and this causes the corresponding inlet valve to open and allows the water to flow into the tub. With the motor running, the centrifugally opened valve 310 will be opened and it might be mentioned here that even if the cam 281 caused one of the inlet valves to open before the motor got up to any substantial speed, the centrifugally controlled valve would still prevent water from entering the tub until the motor had reached a predetermined speed. After the motor is running, the cam 151 allows the lookout arm 19! to drop off of the high part 194 of the cam as viewed in Fig. 12, and then the lookout arm and the reciprocatory member 1011, controlling the reversing rotation, are free to reciprocate in accordance with the operation of cam as seen in Fig. 4.

Reversing rotation of the cylinder now occurs for a predetermined time considered necessary for washing the clothes as for example for a period of 15 minutes. The amount of water entering the tub is governed by the length of the projection 285 of the cam 281 as seen in Fig. 18 and the amount will be suficient for proper washing action.

At the end of the washing stage, the high part 193 on the drain valve cam (Fig. 10) opens the drain valve and water drains from the tub and through the constantly driven drain water pump. Approximately when the water has drained from the tub the lockout arm 19'! is locked out against return by the high part 195 of cam 151 and then shortly after this, the operation of cams 152, 153 and 252 causes the clutch element 39 to shift into its high speed position. A short period of high speed operation now occurs to throw off the wash water. After this short period of high speed operation the roller 219 rides up on the high part 246 of cam 153 and then as the roller 22'! rides off of the high part 241 of cam 152, the

13 shortly after the shift of the clutch element, th arm I97 clears the high part use and allows the reciprocatory member N38 to move. At about this time also the drain valve has closed as the roller I65 drops between the two high parts 192 and I93 of cam I50 and furthermore, fresh water enters the tub as the projection 286 engages the finger 230 on the thermostatic valve control arm 216. Water now enters the tub for a short period of time and reversing rotation of the cylinder occurs for the purpose of rinsing the clothes. At the end of this rinsing period, the drain valve opens again and shortly afterward the clutch element 39 is shifted into its high speed position and a second short high speed spin occurs for throwing off the rinse water.

Following this second high speed spin of short duration, the drain valve again closes, the clutch element is shifted back to its low speed position, fresh water enters the tub as the projection 28? on cam 28! engages the finger 285 and then a second rinse occurs during which time the cylinder is reversely rotated. After this second rinse, the drain valve opens and remains open for the drying stage, and then after the water is substantially drained from the tub, the clutch ele ment is shifted into its high speed position for the purpose of drying the clothes. This final high speed spin occurs for a substantial period of time and as mentioned previously, the various cams are shown in the positions they occupy during this drying stage.

Although only one form of the invention has been illustrated and described in detail, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A drive unit for a washing machine comprising a driven shaft, a pair of driving shafts for alternately driving the driven shaft, drive means for driving one driving shaft at a slow rate compared to the other, means for alternately connecting the two driving shafts to the driven shaft and including a shiftable clutch member, a driven cam shaft, and means for shifting the clutch member in opposite directions including a cam on the cam shaft for shifting the clutch member in one direction, and a second cam on the shaft for shifting the clutch member in the other direction.

2. A drive unit for a washing machine comprising a driven shaft, a pair of driving shafts for alternately driving the driven shaft, drive means for driving one driving shaft at a slow rate compared to the other, means for alternately connecting the two driving shafts to the driven shaft and including a shiftable clutch member, a driven cam shaft, cam means on the cam shaft, a swingable arm for shifting the clutch member, and resilient means engaged by the cam for swinging the arm depending upon loading of the resilient means.

3. A drive unit for a washing machine comprising .adriven shaft, a pair of driving shafts for alternately driving the driven shaft, drive means for driving one driving shaft at a slow rate compared to the other, means for alternately connecting the two driving shafts to the driven shaft and including a shiftable clutch member, a driven cam shaft, a pair of cams on the cam shaft, a swingable arm for shifting the clutch member, resilient means between the arm and each cam so that the arm isshifted through energizing of the resilient means.

4. A drive unit for a washing machine com:

. prising a driven shaft, a pair of driving shaft for alternately driving the driven shaft, drive means for driving one driving shaft at a slow rate compared to the other, means for alternately connecting the two driving shafts to the driven shaft and including a shiftable clutch member, a driven cam shaft, a pair of cams on the cam shaft, a swingable arm for shifting the clutch member, and a compression spring means between each cam and the arm, the cams being so related in contour that one compression spring means is loaded at a time when the other spring means is unloaded.

5. A drive unit for a washing machine comprising a driven shaft, a pair of driving shafts for alternately driving the driven shaft, drive means for driving one driving shaft at a slow rate compared to the other, means for alternately connecting the two driving shafts to the driven shaft and including a shiftable clutch member, a driven cam shaft, a pair of cams on the cam shaft, a rocker shaft, a first arm on the rocker shaft for actuating the clutch member, a pair of secondary arms rockable relative to the first arm and engaging the cams respectively, and compression spring means between each secondary arm and the first arm, the cam being so related that one spring means is loaded when the other is unloaded.

6. A drive unit for a washing machine comprising a driven shaft, a pair of driving shafts for alternately driving the driven shaft, drive means for driving one driving shaft at a slow rate compared to the other, means for alternately connecting the two driving shafts to the driven shaft and including a shiftable clutch member, a driven cam shaft, a pair of cams on the cam shaft, a rocker shaft, a first arm on the rocker shaft for actuating the clutch member, a pair of secondary arms rockable relative to the first arm and engaging the cams respectively, and resilient means between each secondary arm and the first arm.

7. A drive unit for a washing machine comprising a driven shaft, a pair of driving shafts for alternately driving the driven shaft, drive means for driving one driving shaft at a slow rate compared to the other, means for alternately connecting the two driving shafts to the driven shaft and including a shiftable clutch member, a driven cam shaft, a pair of cams on the cam shaft, a rocker shaft, a first arm on the rocker shaft for actuating the clutch member, a pair of secondary arms rockable relative to the first arm and engaging the cams respectively, compression spring means between each secondary arm and the first arm for swinging the first arm in one direction or'the other through loading of the spring means respectively, and escapement means actuatedby the cam shaft for preventing a shift of the clutch member in one direction until the shifting spring is strongly loaded so as to insure rapid shifting of the clutch member. v

8. A drive unit for a washing machine comprising a driven shaft, a pairof driving shafts for alternately driving the driven shaft, drive means for driving one driving shaft at a slow rate compared to the'other, means foralternately connecting the two driving shafts to the driven shaft and including a shiftable clutch member, a driven cam shaft, a pair of cams on the-cam shaft, a rocker shaft, a first arm on the rocker *shaft for actuating the clutch member,

a pair of secondary arms rockable relative to the first arm and engaging the cams respectively, compression spring means between each secondary arm and the first arm for swinging the first arm in one direction or the other through loading of the spring means respectively, an escapement means actuated by the cam shaft for preventing a shift of the clutch member in one direction until the shifting spring is strongly loaded so as to insure rapid shifting of the clutch member, the cams being so related that one spring is loaded at a time when the other is unloaded.

9. A drive unit for a washing machine comprising a casing, a driving shaft in the casing, a driven shaft in the casing, means including a shiftable clutch means between the two shafts for alternately driving the driven shaft in opposite directions depending upon shifting of the clutch means between two positions, a swingable arm for shifting the clutch means, a driven cam for governing swinging of the arm, a member shifted by the cam, and means including a spring for connecting the member to the arm for moving the latter in one direction through tensioning of the spring, and including a second spring for connecting the casing to the member for moving the latter in the other direction.

10. A drive unit for a washing machine comprising a casing, a driving shaft in the casing, a driven shaft in the casing, means including a shiftable clutch means between the two shafts for alternately driving the driven shaft in opposite directions depending upon shifting of the clutch means between two positions, a swingahle arm for shifting the clutch means, a driven cam for governing swinging of the arm, means including a spring connecting the cam to the arm for shifting the clutch, and means including a second driven cam for holding the arm in one position for a predetermined time independently of the first cam.

11. A drive unit for a washing machine comprising a casing, a driving shaft having spaced gears thereon, a driven shaft, a ring gear on the driven shaft and meshing at diametrically opposite points with the first gears respectively, coil clutch springs on the driving shaft for clutching the gears thereon to the shaft depending upon unwinding and expansion of the spring, means shiftable between the two springs and including fingers adapted respectively to abut the adjacent end convolutions of the springs respectively and to engage the ends of the spring wire to cause unwinding of the springs depending upon which spring is engaged through shifting of said means, a driven cam, a reciprocatory member having a portion in contact with the cam, means including a spring for connecting the shifting means and said member, and including a second spring for connecting the member and casing, and lockout means for holding the shiftable means for a predetermined time in one position with one clutch spring unwound independently of the cam.

12. A drive unit for a washing machine, comprising a driven shaft for rotating a clothes receiving cylinder, gear means for driving said shaft at a relatively high rate of speed, gear means for driving said shaft at a relatively low rate of speed, clutch means shiftable in opposite directions for alternately connecting said first and second gear means to said shaft, mechanism for alternately driving said second gear means first in one direction and then in the other direc tion, and means for controlling said mechanism to cause the same to drive said second gear means in the same direction as the direction of rotation of said first gear means during operation of said clutch means.

13. A drive unit for a washing machine, comprising a driven shaft for rotating a clothes receiving cylinder, gear means for driving said shaft at a relatively high rate of speed, gear means for driving said shaft at a relatively low rate of speed, clutch means shiftable in opposite directions for alternately connecting said first and second gear means to saidshaft, means for driving said second gear means in the same direction as the direction of rotation of the first gear means, means for driving said second gear means in the opposite direction, and means for restraining operation of said last named driving means during operation of said clutch means.

14. A drive unit for a washing machine, comprising a driven shaft for rotating a clothes receiving cylinder, gear means for driving said shaft at a relatively high rate of speed, gear means for driving said shaft at a relatively low rate of speed, clutch'means shiftable in opposite directions for alternately connecting said first and second gear means to said shaft, means for driving said second gear means in the same direction as the direction of rotation of the first gear means, means for driving said second gear means in the opposite direction, and cam controlled means for rendering said last named driving means inoperative during operation of said clutch means.

15. A drive unit for a washing machine, comprising a driven shaft for rotating a clothes receiving cylinder, gear means for driving said shaft at a relatively high rate of speed, gear means for driving said shaft at a relatively low rate of speed, clutch means shiftable in opposite directions for alternately connecting said first and second gear means to said shaft, mechanism for alternately driving said second gear means first in one direction and then in the other direction, and means for retarding the rate of movement of said clutch means in one direction.

16. A drive unit for a washing machine, comprising a driven shaft for rotating a clothes receiving cylinder, gear means for driving said shaft at a relatively high rate of speed, gear means for driving said shaft at a relatively low rate of speed, clutch means shiftable in opposite directions for alternately connecting said first and second gear means to said shaft, mechanism for alternately driving said second gear means first in one direction and then in the other direction, and means forretarding the rate of movement of said clutch means in the direction in which it connects the second gear means to said shaft.

17. A drive unit for a washing machine, comprising a driven shaft for rotating a clothes receiving receptacle, mechanism for driving said shaft in one direction at a relatively high rate of speed, mechanism for driving said shaft alternately in opposite directions at a relatively low rate of speed, clutch means movable in opposite directions for alternately connecting said first and second mechanisms to the shaft, and meansfor controlling said second mechanism during movement of said clutch means to cause the second mechanism to drive said shaft in the same direction as the direction in which the first mechanism drives the shaft.

18. A drive unit for a washing machine, com

prising a driven shaft for rotating a clothes receiving receptacle, mechanism for driving said shaft in one direction at a relatively high rate of speed, mechanism for driving said shaft alternately in opposite directions at a relatively low rate of speed, clutch means movable in opposite directions for alternateiy connecting said first and second mechanisms to the shaft, means for controlling said second mechanism during movement of said clutch means to cause the second mechanism to drive said shaft in the same direction as the direction in which the first mechanism drives the shaft, and means for retarding the rate of movement of said clutch means in the direction in which it connects the second mechanism to the shaft.

19. A drive unit for a washing machine, comprising a driven shaft for rotating a clothes receiving cylinder, gear means for driving said shaft at a relatively high rate of speed, gear means for driving said shaft at a relatively low rate of speed, clutch means shiftable in opposite directions for alternately connecting said first and second gear means to said shaft, means for drivingsaid second gear means in a direction opposite to the direction of rotation of the first gear means, means for driving said second gear means in the same direction as the direction of rotation of said first gear means, and means for maintaining said last named driving means in driving relation to said second gear means during operation of said clutch means.

20. A drive unit for a washing machine, comprising a driven shaft for rotating a clothes receiving cylinder, gear means for driving said shaft'at a relatively high rate of speed, gear means for driving said shaft at a relatively low rate of speed, clutch means shiftable in opposite directions for alternately connecting said first and second gear means to said shaft, mechanism for alternately driving said second gear means first in one direction and then in the other direction, means for controlling said mechanism to cause the same to drive said second gear means in the same direction as the direction of rotation of said first gear means during operation of said clutch means, and means for decelerating the rate of movement of said clutch means in one direction. 1

21. A drive unit for a washing machine, comprising a driven shaft for rotating a clothes receiving cylinder, gear means for driving said shaft at a relatively high rate of speed, gear means for driving said shaft at a relatively low rate of speed, clutch means shiftable in opposite directions for alternately connecting said first and second gear means to said shaft, means for driving said second gear means in the same direction as the direction of rotation of the first gear means, means for driving said second gear means in the opposite direction, means for restraining operation of said last named driving means during operation of said clutch means, and means for retarding the rate of movement of said clutch means in the direction in which it connects the second gear means to said shaft.

22. A drive unit for a washing machine having a rotatable clothes receiving receptacle, means for driving said receptacle in one direction at a relatively high rate of speed, means for driving said receptacle alternately in said one direction and in the opposite direction at a relatively low 18 rate of speed, control means movable in one direction into position to render said first driving means operative and movable in another direction into position to render said second driving means operative, and means for maintaining said second driving means in driving relation to the receptacle so as to drive the latter in said one direction during operation of said control means.

23. A drive unit for a washing machine having a rotatable clothes receiving receptacle, means for driving said receptacle in one direction at a relatively high rate of speed, means for driving said receptacle alternately in said one direction and in the opposite direction at a relatively low rate of speed, control means movable in one direction into position to render said first driving means operative and movable in another direction into position to render said second driving means operative, means for retarding the movement of said control means in said last named direction, and means for maintaining said second driving means in driving relation to the receptacle so as to drive the latter in said one direction during operation of said control means.

24. In a washing machine having a rotatable clothes receiving receptacle, drive means for rotating said receptacle in one direction at a relatively high rate of speed, mechanism including a pair of alternately operable drive means for rotating said receptacle in said one direction and in the opposite direction at a relatively slow rate of speed, actuating means shiftable in opposite directions for alternately rendering said pair of drive means operable, control means effective in one position for rendering said first named drive means operable and effective in another position for rendering said mechanism operable, and means for restraining said actuating means to cause one, of said pair of drive means to continue to rotate the receptacle in said one direction during operation of said control means.

" HYMAN D. BROTMAN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 567,574 Barrett Sept. 15, 1896 628,190 Stone July 4, 1899 778,859 Hobbs Jan. 3, 1905 781,265 Brown Jan. 31, 1905 1,209,981 Lyche Dec. 26, 1916 1,463,248 Burleigh July 31, 1923 1,819,306 Starkey et al Aug. 18, 1931 1,889,280 Edgren Nov. 29, 1932 2,112,573 Parish Mar. 29, 1938 2,197,558 Mikulasek Apr. 16, 1940 2,225,407 Bassett Dec. 17, 1940 2,263,963 Barry Nov. 25, 1941 2,235,266 Starkey Mar. 18, 1941 2,313,984 Breckenridge Mar. 16, 1943 2,320,713 Brotman June 1,1943 2,344,253 Kirby Mar. 14, 1944 2,380,590 Frantz July 31, 1945 2,446,064 Smith July 27, 1948 2,468,919

FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date Brotman May 3, 1949 

